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If you’re looking for a bright and flavorful side dish that is anything but boring, then you will love this Easy Middle Eastern Shirazi Salad. Inspired by the classic Iranian salad that was a staple in my Armenian household, this salad comes together with a simple blend of diced red onions, Roma tomatoes, and Persian cucumbers, and green bell peppers, all coated in a tangy sumac dressing. Pair it with a side of kebabs and pita, and you’ve got the perfect meal for an easy weeknight dinner!
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Friends, if you’ve never had a Shirazi salad before, then I am so excited to introduce you to a nostalgic childhood recipe of mine. Growing up, this simple and flavorful salad was a part of almost any meal. Whether we were scooping it up with crackers, folding it into fluffy pita bread, or enjoying it alongside delicious, tender kebabs, this salad was a staple in my household. And now, it can be a staple in yours, too!
Traditional Shirazi salad hails from Iran, and is made from a simple blend of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. However, this simple (yet flavorful) salad has become an important part of many Middle Eastern cultures. The Armenian version is a little different, adding in diced green bell pepper for some added flavor and crunch. No matter which way that you choose to prepare and enjoy it, you truly can’t go wrong. All variations of this recipe are absolutely delicious!
Since I am a proud Armenian, I decided to prepare the salad the way that I know how: with a combination of juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, tangy red onion, and diced green bell peppers, all topped in a light and refreshing sumac dressing. This is the perfect side dish to enjoy with any of your favorite proteins, and is a dish that only gets better with time!
What You Need to Make This Middle Eastern Salad
- Persian Cucumbers: Persian cucumbers are petite and crunchy, making them an excellent addition to this salad. You can also use English cucumber, if you prefer, but I like to use Persian cucumbers!
- Roma Tomatoes: The key to this recipe is to make sure that as much moisture is removed from the Roma tomatoes as possible, so that this salad isn’t soggy.
- Red Onion: Tangy red onions pair perfectly with the tomatoes and cucumbers, giving this salad depth and flavor.
- Green Bell Peppers: Green bell peppers may not be a part of traditional Iranian Shirazi salad, but in the Armenian variation, we love to add it in! Green bell peppers are crunchy and full of fiber, making them a delicious addition to this salad.
- Cilantro, Parsley, & Mint: One thing that I love about Middle Eastern salad recipes is that they’re heavy on the fresh herbs. This salad is loaded with fresh cilantro, parsley, and mint, giving it the freshest flavor.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is my favorite type of oil to use in dressings, because it’s full of healthy fats and also adds a delicious flavor to the salad. You can use avocado oil if you prefer, but I strongly recommend using olive oil!
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice adds a bright and tangy flavor to the salad dressing!
- Sumac: This is optional, but I love the flavor that sumac adds to this recipe. Sumac has a tangy, tart, lemony flavor that perfectly compliments the rest of the salad. You can omit this if desired, but I highly recommend adding it in!
- Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper: A little salt and pepper adds the perfect finishing touch to this salad!
Three Simple Steps to Making This Shirazi Salad
To make this salad, start by washing and chopping the Persian cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, green bell pepper, cilantro, parsley, and fresh mint, and add them to a large bowl. Be sure to remove as much liquid out of the tomatoes as possible, to ensure that the salad doesn’t turn out soggy.
Next, prepare the dressing. Add all of the dressing ingredients (the olive oil, lime juice, sumac, kosher salt, and ground black pepper) to a large measuring cup or bowl and whisk to combine. Once the dressing is done, pour it on top of the salad. Toss to fully combine, then serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this salad be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, it can! If preparing it ahead of time, I recommend storing the salad and the dressing separately, to ensure that it doesn’t get soggy. Once you’re ready to enjoy it, just pour the dressing on top fo the salad, toss to fully combine, and enjoy – that’s it!
How can I eat this salad?
While this salad is so delicious that it could be enjoyed with a fork (straight from the bowl, nonetheless), I recommend scooping it up with crackers, folding it into pita bread, or serving it alongside your favorite proteins!
What can I serve this salad with?
I recommend serving this salad alongside my Beef Kofta Kebabs, my Grilled Middle Eastern Chicken Kebabs, or my Healthy Armenian Stuffed Red Peppers for a delicious, nostalgic, Armenian meal!
How long will this salad stay fresh for?
When stored in the fridge, this salad will stay fresh for up to five days.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
If you're looking for a bright and flavorful side dish that is anything but boring, then you will love this Easy Middle Eastern Shirazi Salad. Inspired by the classic Iranian salad that was a staple in my Armenian household, this salad comes together with a simple blend of diced red onions, Roma tomatoes, and Persian cucumbers, and green bell peppers, all coated in a tangy sumac dressing. Pair it with a side of kebabs and pita, and you've got the perfect meal for an easy weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 4 Persian Cucumbers finely chopped
- 3 Roma Tomatoes finely chopped
- ½ Red Onion chopped
- 1 Green Bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
- ¼ Cup Cilantro chopped
- 3 Tablespoons Parsley chopped
- ¼ Cup Fresh Mint chopped
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ Cup Fresh Lime Juice this is equivalent to 1-2 limes
- 2 Teaspoons Sumac this is optional but highly recommended
- ½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- To make this salad, start by washing and chopping the Persian cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, green bell pepper, cilantro, parsley, and fresh mint, and add them to a large bowl. Be sure to remove as much liquid out of the tomatoes as possible, to ensure that the salad doesn't turn out soggy.
- Next, prepare the dressing. Add all of the dressing ingredients (the olive oil, lime juice, sumac, kosher salt, and ground black pepper) to a large measuring cup or bowl and whisk to combine.
- Once the dressing is done, pour it on top of the salad. Toss to fully combine, then serve and enjoy!
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